Inline quick connector

Abstract

A quick connector releasibly connects first and second conduits fixedly mounted in first and second, interconnectable connector bodies. The first body has an axially extending tubular first end, a frusto-conical portion, a reduced diameter shaft and an enlarged second end. A pair of angularly inwardly extending latch arms project from the second body to releasibly engage a peripheral edge on the frusto-conical portion of the first body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector for sealingly coupling first and second fluid conduits, connector comprising: a first connector body having a through bore extending between opposed first and second ends, the bore disposed in fluid communication with the first conduit;   an enlarged portion formed intermediately on the first body and having a peripheral edge;   a second body having opposed first and second ends;   the second body having a bore extending between first and second ends, the bore disposed in fluid flow communication with the second conduit at one end;   first and second latch arms each having proximal and distal ends, each proximal end coupled against relative axial movement to the first end of the second body, each distal end freely movable with respect to the second body;   the proximal end of each first and second latch arm disposed radially outward from the distal end with respect to a longitudinal axis through the second body; and   the first and second latch arms expandable radially outward and engageable with the peripheral edge of the enlarged portion of the first body as the first body is disposed in the bore in the second body, the distal ends of the first and second latch arms biased radially inward toward the first body to join the first and second bodies.   
     
     
       2. The connector of claim 1 further comprising: a projection extending angularly outward from each of the distal ends of the first and second latch arms with respect to a longitudinal axis through the second body.   
     
     
       3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the first and second conduits are solvent bonded in the first and second bodies, respectively. 
     
     
       4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the second body further comprises: an intermediate, annular extending shoulder formed in the bore in the second body, the shoulder limiting insertion of the second conduit into the second body and limiting insertion of the first body into the second body.   
     
     
       5. The connector of claim 1 further comprising: a reduced diameter shaft extending axially from the enlarged portion of the first body;   an enlarged end portion extending axially from the reduced diameter shaft of the first body.   
     
     
       6. A connector for sealingly coupling first and second fluid conduits, connector comprising: a first connector body having a through bore extending between opposed first and second ends, the bore disposed in fluid flow communication with the first conduit at the second end of the first body;   an enlarged portion formed intermediately on the first body and having a peripheral edge;   a second body having opposed first and second ends;   the second body having a bore extending between first and second ends, the bore disposed in fluid flow communication with the second conduit at one end;   first and second latch arms each having proximal and distal ends, each proximal end coupled against relative axial movement to the first end of the second body, each distal end freely movable with respect to the second body;   the proximal end of each first and second latch arm disposed radially outward from the distal end with respect to a longitudinal axis through the second body; and   the first and second latch arms expandable radially outward and engageable with the peripheral edge of the enlarged portion of the first body as the first body is disposed in the bore in the second body, the distal ends of the first and second latch arms biased radially inward toward the first body to join the first and second bodies.   
     
     
       7. A connector for sealingly coupling first and second conduits, connector comprising: a first connector body having a through bore extending between opposed first and second ends, the bore disposed in fluid flow communication with the first conduit at the second end of the first body;   an enlarged portion formed intermediately on the first body and having a peripheral edge;   a second body having opposed first and second ends;   the second body having a bore extending between first and second ends, the bore disposed in fluid flow communication with the second conduit at one end;   first and second latch arms each having proximal and distal ends, each proximal end coupled against relative axial movement to the first end of the second body, each distal end freely movable with respect to the second body;   the proximal end of each first and second latch arm disposed radially outward from the distal end with respect to a longitudinal axis through the second body; and   an aperture formed in each of the first and second latch arms for releasibly receiving the peripheral edge of the enlarged portion of the first body as the first body is disposed in the bore in the second body, the distal ends of the first and second latch arms biased radially inward toward the first body to join the first and second bodies.   
     
     
       8. The connector of claim 7 wherein the first and second latch arms are integrally formed as a one-piece part of the second body.